The team is currently led by head coach Mike Petke. The title Real Spanish pronunciation: The term is usually used by Spanish clubs who have received royal patronage from a reigning Spanish king, the most famous of which include Real Madrid , Real Zaragoza , Real Betis and Real Sociedad.

In choosing the name Real , owner Dave Checketts intended to create a brand name that would become well known for its simplicity, as well as an association with the world-famous club in Madrid that the club had been striving toward.

Checketts also found it encouraging that Real Madrid had a basketball team as well. However, by at least , reaction to the name had improved, with the team establishing its identity as a representative of Salt Lake.

RSL played its first-ever home match on April 16, , before 25, fans at Rice-Eccles Stadium; Brian Dunseth scored a header in the 81st minute to deliver a 1—0 victory over the Colorado Rapids.

They were also on a game losing streak before managing a 2—2 draw on the road against San Jose Earthquakes. The first season finished with a record of 5—22—5.

The team failed to qualify for the playoffs, finishing with a 10—13—9 record. Real Salt Lake boasted a formidable attack with Cunningham and Kreis up front, joined by recently signed Panamanian international Luis Tejada.

They were supported by veteran talent in the midfield and defense, such as Chris Klein , Carey Talley , and newly arrived goalkeeper Nick Rimando.

RSL were outscored 6—0 in their next three games. In a stunning move, Ellinger was fired and replaced by Kreis, [11] who immediately retired as a player.

Also, general manager Steve Pastorino resigned and was later replaced by Garth Lagerwey. The franchise launched a massive re-construction project that continued throughout the year.

The team finished with a disappointing 6—15—9 record, missing the playoffs yet again. As Real established chemistry together, they emerged as a force when playing at home.

Through the regular season, their home record ended at 8—1—6. Finishing with a 10—10—10 record, RSL advanced to the playoffs for the first time. However, the team struggled to maintain form during road games.

However, thanks to a victory over Colorado in the final game of the regular season, [13] RSL clinched a position in the MLS playoffs.

Despite finishing with a losing record overall 11—12—7 , the team was granted the last spot through a tie-breaker. RSL played the L.

Galaxy to a 1—1 tie through overtime and won the MLS Cup 5—4 on penalties. Goalkeeper Nick Rimando was named Man of the Match. The season saw RSL continue its home unbeaten streak.

Real Salt Lake finished first in Group A, with a perfect 3—0 home record and a 1—1—1 away record. In the semifinals, Real Salt Lake beat Saprissa 2—0 in the home leg, before losing the away leg 1—2.

The second leg of the final was held on April 27, , at Rio Tinto Stadium ; Monterrey scored the only goal of the game, giving Monterrey a 3—2 aggregate victory.

In , Real finished second in the Western conference during the regular season. In the playoffs, RSL lost to Seattle in the conference semifinals, and were eliminated from the playoffs.

United and Sporting Kansas City , respectively. Despite a five-game unbeaten start to the season , the team eventually began to struggle in the standings, coupled with a loss to Sporting Kansas City in the semi-finals of the Open Cup.

The season saw Real Salt Lake return to the playoffs but they were once again eliminated by the LA Galaxy , this time by a 3—1 score line on the road in the Western Conference play in game.

In the off season, longtime legends Javier Morales and Jamison Olave did not have their options exercised by the club. On March 20, the club announced that head coach Jeff Cassar had been dismissed from his duties only three games into the season.

On March 29 it was announced that Mike Petke would take over the head coaching position following the game against Minnesota United on April 1.

Home, away, and third uniforms. In a soccer-specific stadium was approved for Sandy , a suburb of Salt Lake City. However, a vote in struck down a funding proposal.

Dave Checketts said that he would sell it if a proposal was not put forward. Parties from several cities, including Rochester, New York and St.

Louis, Missouri , expressed interest in purchasing the franchise and moving it. Finally, after months of discussions an agreement was put in place and Real Salt Lake announced that they would move forward with the construction of Real Salt Lake Stadium.

The governor signed the bill. The stadium was named after its sponsor, Rio Tinto Group. The main rival of Real Salt Lake is considered to be the Colorado Rapids , with the two teams being the closest to each other geographically, and also competing for the annual Rocky Mountain Cup.

Although dominated by the Rapids early on, Salt Lake has since taken a 9—4 series lead over their rivals, and are the current holders of the cup, having won it during the season.

Although no annual trophy is involved, since , the more fierce rival has become Sporting Kansas City , which was born out of a preseason brawl, [46] and culminated in a physical RSL defeat in the MLS Cup after a penalty shootout.

The team also maintains smaller, fan-driven rivalries with both the Los Angeles Galaxy and the Seattle Sounders. Real Salt Lake has six official supporters groups:.

Except for Section 26 and The Royal Army which is dispersed throughout the stadium , all supporters groups sit in the south stands. Leo the Lion is the official mascot of Real Salt Lake.

In , Branden Steineckert , drummer of punk band Rancid and a supporter of Real Salt Lake, composed the song "Believe" in honor of the club.

RSL has a multimillion-dollar sponsorship deal with LifeVantage. The telecasts feature pre- and post-game coverage. January 18, Source: The team began play in the Western Conference of the United Soccer League during the season , playing their home games at Rio Tinto Stadium along with their parent team.

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List of retired numbers in association football. List of Real Salt Lake seasons. MLS performance in Champions League. Retrieved November 19, Archived from the original PDF on June 1, Retrieved March 21, Madrid to Salt Lake City".